Effect of Storage on Quality Parameters of Wood Apple (Feronia Limonia L.)-Lemon (Citrus Limon) Squash

Feronia limonia L. (wood apple), is a tropical fruit plant of Rutaceae family has vast array of health benefits mainly due to their nutrients, vitamins, and organic compounds, including their tannins, calcium, phosphorous, fiber, protein, iron, etc [1]. Wood apple considered good natural source of anti-oxidants due to its potential radical scavenging activity of various phytochemicals [2]. Wood apples also known as elephant apple, monkey fruit, crud fruit, kath bel and other dialectal terms across India. In Malaya it is called gelinggai or belinggai; in Thailand ma-khwit; in Cambodia kramsang; and in Laos ma-fit. In French, it is known as pomme d’ elephant, pomme de bois or citron des mois [3]. Wood apple is a highly under-utilized fruit. Its utilization, thus, can be increased by developing different products such as jam, jelly, pickles, fruit bar, squash, etc. using preservation technologies. Such processed food product from wood apple can also be utilized during the off-season. Jam, jellies, fruit bar and other preserves are some very important by product of fruits manufactured in the industries and are commonly based upon the high solids-high acid principle. These important methods of preservation are not only preserving the fruit concentrates, but also it is an important way of utilization of fruits. In addition to the pleasing taste of such preserved fruits, they possess substantial nutritive value also. Wood apple has got high medicinal value. Every part of the fruit has got its medicinal property. Wood apple is used in India as a liver and cardiac tonic, and when unripe, as a means of halting diarrhea and dysentery and for effective treatment for hiccough, sore throat and disease of the gums [4]. The pulp of wood apple has antiinflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic activity [5] and anti-diabetic and antioxidant potential by reducing the level of blood glucose and malondialdehyde [6]. Wood apples also have hypoglycemic activity, antitumor, larvicidal and antimicrobial activity and hepato protective activity [4] and can be eaten raw, but it is popularly scooped out and frozen, or made into jam. It can also be mixed with coconut milk for a delicious, health beverage, or frozen into ice ABSTRACT